Singapore Budget Carrier Tiger Airways Lands in MelbourneMonday September 17, 8:07 AM MELBOURNE, Sept 17 Asia Pulse - Cut-price carrier Tiger Airways landed its first plane in Melbourne Sunday, signalling a new airfare price war.
The Singapore-based airline group, which is set to begin domestic flights in Australia in early December, landed a jet at Melbourne Airport at 1.40pm (AEST) today as part of a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approval process.
Tiger's entry will boost the Victorian and Australian tourism industry and create 1,000 jobs, Victoria's Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous said today.
"It is clear that low-cost carriers are the way of the future and Victoria has a terrific opportunity ahead of other states to work with a proven low-cost carrier in Tiger," Mr Theophanous said.
"Domestic and international transport links are critical if Victoria is to fully capitalise on its strong economy, outstanding program of major events, and world-class scenic, sporting and cultural attractions.
"Around the world it is the competitive low-cost carriers such as Tiger Airways that are reducing the cost of travel and stimulating passenger traffic."
In May, Tiger said it expected to carry up to two million passengers in the first year of its operations, adding it hoped to "break the duopoly" of discount rivals Jetstar and Virgin Blue.
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